No Henson in side to face Manawatu

The Lions have named their side to face Manawatu tomorrow night, with Welshman Gavin Henson missing from the starting lineup with a slight injury.

Henson was a controversial omission from the Lions side which was badly beaten by the All Blacks on Saturday.


Lions coach Clive Woodward stressed some of those playing tomorrow night could also play on Saturday - a reversal of previous policy.


Scottish hooker Gordon Bulloch captains the team, which features Jason Robinson and Neil Back who both played in Saturday's loss.


Robinson is named at wing, while Back provides loose forward cover from the bench along with replacement squad member Brent Cockbain.


Players not considered for selection due to minor knocks from Saturday's test are Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Ben Kay and Gethin Jenkins.


A team statement said second five-eighth Henson was being treated for a slight groin strain and was not considered for tomorrow's match.


Woodward said: "Following Saturday's disappointing performance, tomorrow is a big opportunity to regain momentum and get everyone in the right frame of mind before the second test, which I believe that we can win.

"A number of players were not considered for tomorrow because of injury. Competition for test places is now intense.

"There are players involved in Tuesday's match who will also be involved in the test. Obviously injuries, such as those to Brian O'Driscoll and Richard Hill, will force us to make some changes, but there will be changes beyond that."

Midweek coach Ian McGeechan added: "The whole squad, not just those who played, were disappointed about what happened on Saturday.

"The players selected for the Manawatu game have a big responsibility now, to play good rugby and get us back to winning ways. That would give us a big lift as we move towards Saturday and a test we have to win."

Team:
15 Geordan Murphy (Leicester Tigers and Ireland)
14 Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks and England)
13 Ollie Smith (Leicester Tigers and England)
12 Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster and Ireland)
11 Shane Williams (Ospreys and Wales)
10 Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks and England) vice captain
9 Chris Cusiter (Borders and Scotland)
1 Andy Sheridan (Sale Sharks and England)
2 Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow and Scotland) Captain
3 John Hayes (Munster and Ireland)
4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps and England)
5 Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster and Ireland)
6 Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers and England)
7 Martyn Williams (Blues and Wales)
8 Michael Owen (Dragons and Wales)

Reserves:
Andy Titterrell (Sale Sharks and England), Matt Stevens (Bath and England), Brent Cockbain (Ospreys and Wales), Neil Back (Leicester Tigers), Gareth Cooper (Dragons and Wales), Ronan O'Gara (Munster and Ireland), Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks and England)

***

Manawatu:
Frank Bryant, Bevan Gray, Jason Campbell, Matt Oldridge, Johnny Leota, Graham Smith, J. Hargreaves, Bryan Matenga, Josh Bradnock, Hayden Triggs, Paul Rodgers, Tim Faleafaga, Keni Barrett, Nathan Kemp (c), Sam Moore

Reserves:
Simon Easton, Isaac Cook, Paula Maisiri, Chris Moke, David Palu, Nick Buckley, Ben Trew.

* Manawatu v Lions, Palmerston North, 7.10pm, tomorrow

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF